Dash open regular season against Racing Louisville: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash/Twitter)
The Houston Dash begin the 2023 NWSL regular season tonight at Shell Energy Stadium against Racing Louisville. Houston will look to build off last season where they made the playoffs for the first time in club history. Louisville finished ninth last season and will be looking to start a much-improved campaign.
When: Sunday, March 26 | 6:00 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: AT&T SportsNet Southwest (local), Paramount+ (national)
New boss
After 10 seasons in Seattle, Sam Laity is ready to be a head coach for the first time. The new Dash boss was previously an assistant with OL Reign. Laity is highly regarded around the league and amongst the players and staff at OL Reign. It was probably long overdue that he be given the chance to be a head coach. Houston managed to make the playoffs last season even after having to deal with the coaching carousel that their season became. James Clarkson was placed on leave right before the season began. Sarah Lowdon became acting head coach. Then, Juan Carlos Amoros became interim head coach. Now with just one head coach this season, the Dash can turn all their attention to one set of tactics and direction.
Attack!
With the addition of Diana Ordóñez this offseason, the Dash attack just got even scary for opponents. Nichelle Prince is unforunately injured but the Houston front line still boats plenty of options with the likes of Ebony Salmon, Maria Sánchez, Shea Groom, Michelle Alozie, and Ryan Gareis among others. Groom posted on her Instagram yesterday that she would be out today with a knee injury but Laity has some decisions to make. He hinted at a formation change in his weekly press conference, perhaps a 4-4-2 to get both Salmon and Ordóñez up front together? However they line up, Laity told the media on Friday that he wants the attack to be “devastating, dynamic, and overwhelming as possible”. Buckle up, Dash fans.
Make home sweet again
Shell Energy Stadium underwent many renovations this offseason, inluding new seats and new food items. The Dash are hoping those renovations will also include much better results for them on their home pitch. Houston won just three times in the NWSL regular season in 2022. Tonight’s match is big, not just to get off to a good start in 2023, but to ensure that the team’s home form begins to improve. Three points are big as well because the Dash go on the road for their next three league matches with tough games at Chicago, Portland, and Washington. You don’t want to get behind the 8-ball early in the season and have to play catch up. It’s time for the Dash to make their home stadium a fortress, much like the Dynamo are looking to do as well.
Availability Report
Houston Dash - Out: Nichelle Prince (Achilles - season-ending injury), Ella Dederick (right knee - season-ending injury), Emily Curran (left knee - season-ending injury), Makame Gomera-Stevens (left knee - season-ending injury), Annika Creel (right knee - season-ending injury), Shea Groom (right knee); Questionable: Katie Lind (right calf), Barbara Olivieri (right knee)
Racing Louisville – Out: Julia Lester (left ankle), Emina Ekic (left ankle), Thembi Kgatlana (left ankle), Nadia Nadim (left knee); Questionable: Jaelin Howell (left leg)
Predicted Lineup
